Wire-stretcher.



.m 0 9 1 .1 3 G 0 D B M BR Mm PN I E G T U H W M & W A H S m M 1 4 3 0- N WIRE STRBTOHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20,1905.

Inventors,

Witnesses I I Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN T. SHAW AND MAR-ION W. HUTCHINSON, OF ADEL, GEORGIA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Oct. 31, 1305.

Application filed June 20,1905. Serial No. 266,136.

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that we, MARTIN T. SHAW and MARION W. HU'roHINsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Adel, in the county of Berrien and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Wire-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire-stretchers, and has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device of this character by means of which mesh or Woven Wire fabrics or fencing may be conveniently and expeditiously stretched preparatory to nailing or otherwise permanently securing the same to a fence-post.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for clamping the free ends of the wire fabric or fencing so as to prevent kinking or otherwise injuring the same during the stretching operation and, further, to provide novel means for locking the pivoted clamping members in closed position.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire-stretcher constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the clamping members. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the hooks, showing the manner of engaging the links of the chain.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The improved device comprises a pair of clamping members 5 and 6, pivoted together, as indicated at 7, and adapted to clamp the free edge of a wire fabric or fencing preparatory to stretching and securing the same to the fence-posts. The clamping member 5 is provided with a plurality of spaced laterallyextending loops or staples 9, which engage corresponding openings 10 in the adjacent clamping member when the members are in closed position, said loops or staples being adapted to receive wedge-shaped locking-keys 11, which engage spring bearing-plates 12, riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the clamping members 6 and surrounding the openings 10, as shown. The plates 12 are also provided with openings 12 and are centrally bowed or arched, as indicated at 12", so that when the wedge-shaped keys 11 are inserted in the loops or staples said plates will exert a spring clamping action on the key and firmly clamp the pivoted members 5 and 6 in engagement with the fabric or fencing and at the same time prevent accidental displacement of said keys. The locking-keys 11 are secured to the member 6 by means of cords or chains 13, the ends of which are fastened to screw-eyes 14, disposed above the plates 12, so that said keys will always be in convenient position for use.

The wire-stretcher proper consists of an operating-lever 15, to one end of which are secured by pins or rivets 16 suitable chains 17, provided with terminal hooks 18 and 19, the bills of which are bifurcated, as indicated at 20, for engagement with the links of a chain or other flexible medium 21, there being a similar hook 23 secured to the opposite side of the lever by a corresponding chain 2 1, as shown. One end of the chain 21 engages the clamping members 5 and 6, while the opposite end thereof is secured to a post or other suitable support22, the lever being positioned on said chain, with the hook 23 in engagement with the links thereof, on one side of the lever and with the hooks 18 and 19 alternately engaging the links on the opposite side of said lever.

In operation the post 22 is driven into the ground a suitable distance from the fence and one end of the chain 21 secured thereto and the opposite end of said chain to the clamp ing members 5 and 6. The lever is then placed in position on the chain 21, with hooks 18 and 23 engaging the links thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. If the lever 15 be now moved in the direction of the arrow, the hook 18 will exert a longitudinal pull on the chain while the hook 19 will be in position to engage the links of the chain in advance of the hook 18, so that when the lever is moved in the opposite direction the chain between the clamping members and the post will be shortened and the fabric or fencing proportionately stretched. By having the bills of the hooks bifurcated, as shown, said hooks will straddle the links of the chain, and thereby permit the operator to IIO quickly engage and disengage the hooks during the stretching operation.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that there is provided an extremely simple and inexpensive stretcher admirably adapted for the attainments of the ends in View.

Having fully described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a pair of pivoted clamping members one of which is provided with a plurality of spaced loops adapted to engage corresponding openings in the adjacent member, spring bearing-plates surrounding said openings, and locking-keys adapted to engage the loops and bear upon said plates.

2. In a device of the class described, a pair of pivoted clamping members one of which is provided with a plurality of spaced laterallyextending loops adapted to engage corresponding openings in the adjacent member, spring bearing-plates surrounding said openings, and wedge-shaped locking-keys adapted to engage the loops and bear upon said plates.

3. In a device of the class described, a pair of pivoted clamping members one of which is provided with a plurality of s1t)aced laterally extending loops adapted to engage corresponding openings in the adjacent member, bearingplates surrounding said openings and having their central portions bowed With the openings in said clamping member, Wedge-shaped locking-keys engaging said loops and adapted to bear upon the plates, and a flexible conneetion between the locking-keys and one of said clamping members.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own WGllktVe hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

MARTIN T. SHAW. MARION WV. HUTGHINSON.

WVitnesses:

FRANK L. LAS'JINGER, J. K. AVERA. 

